Overview of Blockchain Technology in Healthcare Applications: Challenges and Impacts

Blockchain technology has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its capacity to provide secure, decentralized, and tamper-evident data storage. Within healthcare, these attributes offer the potential for streamlined data management, enhanced interoperability, and strengthened trust among stakeholders. However, several challenges—ranging from regulatory constraints and scalability issues to privacy concerns—complicate blockchain’s adoption in the health sector. This review paper provides an overview of blockchain’s foundational principles, examines the ways it is being applied to healthcare data management and clinical processes, and considers the obstacles hindering widespread implementation. By elucidating the current state of blockchain in healthcare and its multifaceted impacts, this paper highlights both the promise and complexity of integrating this emerging technology into one of the most highly regulated and mission-critical industries.